So, when I was very young, an older man down the street owned an E30. I would absolutely love to own one. But, why the hell are they soo expensive? Why is it that I can pick up an E36 for 15k out the door. But, have an E30 start at around 18k for a rust bucket.

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Originally Posted by Javi335

saw you comment and i'd lay on my bed and cry, then i put some Yulio Iglesias music, no more problem.

My first BMW was a used 1991 E30 318is. Was Diamond black and this model was only available as a 5 speed. Was 134 hp 4 cylinder that I could wring out in every gear. I liked the stubby look and it was a blast to drive. Wish I still had it.

Barrett Jackson giving the E30 M3 a 'B' rating helped out some... not to mention it's low production #'s and the amount that have been destroyed on the track. Availability is low, Demand is high, price is high.

The e30 is so expensive because all the grassroot racers / old BMW aficionados / ex-vw/audi people love these cars and the demand is really high for a clean, unmolested one.

They are a blast to drive! They are fairly easy to work on if you like wrenching, and parts are cheap!

a 88-90 325is can fetch anywhere from $1500-7000.
the 325e/es 'eta' models are a little cheaper as they weren't very performance, but instead more fuel efficient mindeds, and they are torque monsters!
the 318i m10 and later 318i/is m42 engined cars were the entry level e30s, didn't have the power but were 200lbs lighter than the 6-cyl models.

My first car was an '88 E30 325ix. The first year of the AWD BMW. It was still running great with 260,000 miles, then it sat for a year and needed too much work to repair. I miss it dearly, I would do anything to find one in good condition. You always felt so connected to the car and the road. It was a TANK in all weather, but could hold it's own against the coupes of the day. I can only imagine how beautiful the M3 must have been.

I'd take an E30 over and E36 any day. Beauty, nostalgia, demand. --> price

To this day, nostalgia aside, the E30 is the best car I've ever owned. The 1er comes in a close second.

My first BMW was a used 1991 E30 318is. Was Diamond black and this model was only available as a 5 speed. Was 134 hp 4 cylinder that I could wring out in every gear. I liked the stubby look and it was a blast to drive. Wish I still had it.

You described my first used car, and my sentiments, almost exactly! (except the color was a bit different - mine was a very dark grey instead of black). My ownership of this car was short-lived - only 9 months. Hopefully the 1 will bring back some of these memories, minus the reliability problems I had with the E30.

The mean reason is because of the fast growing popularity of it over tha past few years. Just like the Nissan 240sx or the Toyota AE86, prices have soared after the drift craze and ppl are actually paying for it.

My brother's first car was a white E30 325i, now that thing was a pocket rocket. Always loved the car, too bad it was totaled.